Ian Mark Jones, 32, model and photographer

Ian Mark Jones, 32, who left Yardley in 2008 for a modeling career in New York City, drowned in the Hudson River earlier this week during a kayaking accident in Upstate New York.

Mr. Jones had been missing since the morning of Aug. 8, when the kayak which he and his girlfriend were paddling capsized, throwing them into the river in Dutchess County, 100 miles north of New York City.

Mr. Jones' girlfriend, Tali Lennox Fruchtmann, daughter of the singer Annie Lennox, was picked up by a passing boat. Rescuers recovered Mr. Jones' body in shallow water adjacent to the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club on Monday, Aug. 10, the date of death recorded by Dutchess County officials.

The accident left his mother, Sherron Jones, to mourn her only child.

"His life was filled with creativity," she said. "Ian was a successful model with IMG in New York. Not only was he a beautiful model, but he was a beautiful soul.

"He was a kid at heart, a funny, down-to-earth, caring man. He was a bright light to all who knew him."

Mr. Jones also was a gifted photographer with an eye for the homeless. His Street Kids Project in New York focused public attention on the problem of young people living on the streets, and gave hope of a better life to some who were pictured.

Working with his girlfriend, he photographed young homeless people under the age of 24 who lived near their East Village apartment. The images were featured last fall in Grey Magazine and in a citywide poster campaign, according to the project's website.

Before moving to New York, Mr. Jones had some brushes with the law involving drinking in Yardley and Levittown. But four years ago, he had embraced sobriety and joined Alcoholics Anonymous, his mother said.

Born and reared in Bucks County, he graduated from Pennsbury High School and spent most of his life in Yardley.

Besides his mother, he is survived by his father, Eric Rosner, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service and celebration of life are set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Christian Life Center, 3100 Galloway Rd., Bensalem. A visitation will follow the service. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to Cast Your Cares, 2438 Kensington Ave., Philadelphia 19125; or to Rock Ministries of Philadelphia, 2755 Kensington Ave., Philadelphia 19134.

610-313-8102